High speed drive



March 30, 1943. R T m 2,315,429

HIGH SPEED DRIVE Filed May 16, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 g I 49 Z Q L fi 57% A: 55 Q l fag I V T if March 30, 1943;

w. R. HUTTINGER HIGH SPEED DRIYVE Filed May 1e, 1941 4 sheets-sheet s March 30, 1943. w R ING 2,315,429

HIGH SPEED DRIVE Filed May 1,6, 1941 4 SheetsSheet 4 Patented Mar. 30, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HIGH SPEED DRIVE. William R. Huttinger, Lansdownc, Pa. Application May 16, 1941, Serial No. 393,835

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a high speed drive and, more particularly, to a high speed drive suitable for use in actuating switches such as those employed in grounding transformers and in situations having similar requirements.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a simple and durable mechanism which will provide for rapid actuation of an associated mechanism, and in which the shock of checking the final movements of the mechanism is reduced to a minimum.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for opening or closing high speed switches which is spring-operated and which includes a braking mechanism for insuring reduction of shock to a minimum.

Another object of the invention is the production of a drive of this type which may be very readily reset following its operation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means insuring against accidental operation of the mechanism during a resetting operation.

These and other objects I attain by the construction shown in the accompanying drawings wherein, for the purpose of illustration, I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention as applied to a switch-closing mechanism, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a switch mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the switch-operating mechanism, taken approximately on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2

Fig. 4 is a section on line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the latch-controlling mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a plan view nism;

Fig. 7 is a section on line 1-! of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral I designates the pivotedblade of a switch the stationary contacts of which are indicated at I I. Th blade is rotated about pivot I2 through a relatively short arm I3, with the result that a comparatively short throw will provide a rapid movement of the blade I 0 through a considerable arc.

Arranged within a casin I4 is a shaft I mounted in bearings I6 and I1, this shaft extending through the casing wall and being provided with a crank arm I8 connected by the link I9 with the arm I3 of the switch blade. Secured to of the actuating mechashaft I5 is a pulley 2!! having a partially grooved periphery receiving a cable 2! which is secured to the pulley as at 22. Projecting downwardly from the bottom of the casing is a tubular housing 23 within which is arranged a spring 24. An adjusting nut 25 threaded through a bushing at the bottom wall of the casing extends into the upper end of the tube 23 and engages the upper end of spring 24 to provide for adjustable regulation of the tension thereof. This adjusting nut is tubular, and cable 2| extends therethrough and is secured to a spring seat 26 engaging the bottom of the spring.

Pivote'd to a support 27 secured to the bottom wall of the casing is a link 28 the upper end of which is pivotally connected to one arm 29 of a toggle mechanism. This arm of the toggle mechanism bears a roller 3% adapted to engage in a notch 3i formed in the periphery of the pulley 20 when the toggle mechanism is in its latched position shown in solid lines in Figure 7. The second element 32 of the toggle mechanism is pivoted upon a bracket 33 and a spring 34 coiled about the pivotal connection 35 between the bracket and member 32 serves to constantly urge the toggle from the dotted-line position of Figure 7 to the solid-line position thereof. At this solidline position its movement is positively checked by an adjustable stop 36 carried by bracket 33. Bracket 33 likewise supports a solenoid 3'! the plunger 38 of which is aligned with and adapted to engage against and break the toggle to its dotted-line position when the solenoid is activated, thus releasing the pulley for rotation.

Secured to the periphery of the pulley 20 is a brake shoe 39, and arranged adjacent the pulley surface at a point circumferentially spaced from the normal position of this brake shoe is a springpressed brake element 4f: the effective pressure of which may be varied through adjustment of spring 4! and the approach to the periphery of the pulley of which is adjustably limited as at 42.

Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Figure 2, upon actuation of solenoid 37 the latch formed by the roller carried by th end of member 29 of the toggle mechanism is withdrawn from notch 31, and spring 4, which at this time is under tension, will cause a rapid rotation of pulley 20 in the direction of the arrow, with a corresponding rotation of shaft I5, thus producing a pull upon connecting rod I-9 and closing switch blade Iii upon the stationary contact II. Immediately prior to direct engagement of the blade in contact ll, brake 43 is engaged by the shoe 39 to check the movement of the pulley and 2 to reduce the shock of engagement of the switch contact.

Within the casing a second shaft 43 is supported by bearings '54 in axial alignment with shaft 15. The end of shaft 43 bears an arm 45 having a projecting lug 46 adapted to coact with the arm 41 secured to the shaft l so that by rotation of shaft 43 shaft [5 may be rotated to compress the spring 24 and align the notch 31 of the pulley for reception of the latch.

Supported by a guide 45 carried by the hearing I! is a yok G9 having a pair of depending arms 50 alternately co-acting with a cam 5| secured to shaft l5. Through engagement of the cam with these arms, the yoke is caused to reciprocate upon each operation of shaft l5 Whether this be under influence of spring 24 or actuation of shaft l5 through the shaft 43. This reciprocation is employed to oscillate the shaft 52 of a switch mechanism having two blades 53 and 54, blade 53 serving to open and close the circuit of solenoid 31, while blade 54 serves to alternately close the circuits of signal lamps 55 and 56. With the mechanism in the position shown in Figure 2, the switch blades are in their solidline position of Figure 5, the signal element 56 being activated and the circuit of the solenoid 31 being prepared for closure at a remote point as, for example, by switch 5?. With closure of the solenoid circuit, the switch elements move to their dotted-line positions of Figure 5, the solenoid circuit then being open at switch 53 and the circuit of signal 55 being open and that of signal 5?: closed. This position will be maintained until the switch is manually recocked by operation of shaft 43.

The means for operating shaft 43 comprise coacting pinions 58, 59 carried respectively by shaft 3 and a vertically extending shaft 69 extending through the bottom of the casing and having its lower end projecting into a gear case 6i where shaft 63 is equipped with a worm gear 62. This worm gear is actuated by a crank-rotated worm shaft 63. Secured to shaft 60 is an arm 64 operating between adjustably fixed stops 65, 65 carried by bracket 61 which, preferably, likewise supports gear case 8i, these stops serving to adjustably regulate the limits through which shaft 66 may be rotated and, accordingly, the extent through which shaft l5 may rotate in either direction. The stop 68 is positioned at this time to limit rotation of the mechanism when the notch 31 of pulley 2B is positioned to receive the latch while stop 65 provides an adjustment insuring that the crank-to-connecting-rod connections between the switch blade and operating mechanism will not arrive at or pass dead center.

Likewise secured to shaft 60 for rotation therewith is a plate 88 which may be in the form of a disc having in its periphery a notch 69. Suitably supported in proper relation to the crank 18 and plate 68 is a shaft 1| bearing an arm l2 adapted for engagement in the notch of plate 68, and a second arm 13 for engagement between ears 1 carried by the hub of crank 10. Both arm 13 and ears T4 are perforated, as indicated at 15, for the reception of a suitable securing means preventing unauthorized manipulation such as a padlock (not shown).

Again assuming the parts of the switch-actuating mechanism to be in the position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, closure of the solenoid circuit withdraws toggle control latch mechanism releasing pulley and its shaft for rotation under influence of the spring 24. The switch blade is rapidly thrown into engagement with its contacts, being braked immediately prior to its engagement with such contacts by the braking mechanism 39, 40. The arm 41 of shaft l5 will be, by this operation, brought into contact with the lug 46 of arm 45 of shaft 43. At the same time, signal 56 will be actuated, indicating that the associated apparatus is grounded. In restoring the mechanism to its latched position the safety device employed for immovably connecting shaft H and crank 10 is removed and the shaft "H rotated to release the crank for rotation and to simultaneously release shaft 60 for rotation. Crank 1!! is then rotated to move the arm 64 out of contact with stop 6% and into contact with stop 65, at which time the latch mechanism will reengage with pulley 26. The movement of the crank 10 is then reversed and arm 64 is again brought into contact with stop 66. At this time the cars 14 of crank 10 and the notch 69 of plate 68 will properly align with the ears 12, 13 of shaft H and this shaft may, accordingly, be rotated to engage these arms in their respective sockets and the securing means preventing rotation of crank 10 may, accordingly, be replaced, thus recocking the mechanism for a further operation.

As will be noted from the illustration of Figure 1, the shaft is actuated through degrees, with the result that the actuated mechanism is operated with a speed which increases and decreases rapidly, thus assisting in reducing shock at the close of the operative movement. This arrangement, coupled with the use of the brake 40, serves to reduce such shocks to a minimum.

While the drive has been above described and has been illustrated as a switch-actuating mechanism, it is obviously useable in any situation where an extremely rapid movement is to be effected with a minimum of shock. Furthermore, the mechanism herein disclosed may be utilized quite as well in opening as in closing switches. The specific recocking mechanism illustrated is, likewise, but one of many forms which might be utilized.

Since the construction illustrated is, obviously, capable of considerable modification without in any manner departing from the spirit of the invention, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. In switch operating mechanism of the type described, the combination with a pivoted switch blade of an oscillatable shaft operatively connected to the blade to oscillate the same about its pivot, a spring to rotate the shaft in one direction, a latch preventing rotation of the shaft in said direction, electromagnetic means to release said latch, a circuit for controlling said electromagnetic means, and a member reversely movable to either of two positions, said member during its movement from one to another of said positions operatively engaging said shaft and rotating the same to energize said spring and to position said shaft for operative engagement by said latch, said member during its movement from said position to the other of said positions disengaging from the shaft and in the other of said positions constituting a stop limiting rotation of the shaft under the influence of the spring.

2. In switch operating mechanism of the type described, the combination with a pivoted switch blade of an oscillatable shaft operatively connected to the blade to oscillate the same about its pivot, a spring to rotate the shaft in one direction, a latch preventing rotation of the shaft in said direction, electromagnetic means to release said latch, a circuit for controlling said electromagnetic means, a member reversely movable to either of two positions, said member during its movement from one to another of said positions operatively engaging said shaft and rotating the same to energize said spring and to position said shaft for operative engagement by said latch, said member during its movement from said position to the other of said positions disengaging from the shaft and in the other of said positions constituting a stop limiting rotation of the shaft under the influence of the spring, and means to open the circuit of said electromagnetic means as the member arrives at the first of said positions and to close said circuit as the member arrives at the second of said positions.

3. In switch operating mechanism of the type described, the combination with a pivoted switch blade of'an oscillatabie shaft operatively connected .to the blade to oscillate the same about its pivot, a spring to rotate the shaft in one direction, a latching element preventing rotation of the shaft in said direction, a spring-actuated toggle urging said latching element to latching position, electromagnetic means to break said toggle and release said latch, and a circuit for controlling said electromagnetic means.

i. In switch operating mechanism of the type described, the combination with a pivoted switch blade of an oscillatable shaft operatively con nected to the blade to oscillate the same about its pivot, a spring to rotate the shaft in one direction, a latching element preventing rotation of the shaft in said direction, a spring-actuated toggle urging said latching element to latching position, electromagnetic means to break said toggle and release said latch, a circuit for contro said electromagnetic means, and a member reversely movable to either of two positions, said member during its movement from one to another of said positions operatively engaging said shaft and rotating the same to energize said spring and to position said shaft for operative engagement by said latch, said member during its movement from said position to the other of said positions disengaging from the shaft and in the other of said positions constituting a stop limiting rotation of the shaft under the influence of the spring.

5. In switch operating mechanism of the type described, the combination with a pivoted switch blade of an cscillatable shaft operatively connected to the blade to oscillate the same about its pivot, a spring to rotate the shaft in one direc tion, a latching element preventing rotation of the shaft in said direction, a spring-actuated toggle urging said latching element to latching position, eiectromagnetic means to break said toggle and release said latch, a circuit for controlling said electromagnetic means, a member reversely movable to either of two positions, said member during its movement from one to another of said positions operatively engaging said shaft and rotating the same to energize said spring and to position said shaft for operative engagement by said latch, said member during its movement from said position to the other of said positions disengaging from the shaft and in the other of said positions constituting a stop limiting rottation of the shaft under the influence of the spring, and means to open the circuit of said electromagnetic means as the member arrives at the first of said positions and to close said circuit as the member arrives at the second of said positions.

6. In switch operating mechanism of the type described, the combination with a pivoted switch blade of an oscillatable shaft operatively connected to the blade to oscillate the same about its pivot, a spring to rotate the shaft in one direction, a latch preventing rotation of the shaft in said direction, electromagnetic means to release said latch, a circuit for. controlling said electromagnetic means, and means operated by the oscillation of said shaft for opening and closing the circuit of said electromagnetic means.

'7. In switch operating mechanism of the type described, the combination with a pivoted switch blade of an oscillatable shaft operatively connected to the blade to oscillate the same about its pivot, a spring to rotate the shaft in one direction, a latch preventing rotation of the shaft in said direction, electromagnetic means to release said latch, a circuit for controlling said electromagnetic means, means operated by the oscillation of said shaft for opening and closing the circuit of said electromagnetic means, and a member reversely movable to either of two po sitions, said member during its movement from one to another of said positions operatively engaging said shaft and rotating the same to energize said spring and to position said shaft for operative engagement by said latch, said member during its movement from said position to the other of said positions disengaging from the shaft and in the other of said positions constituting a stop limiting rotation of the shaft under the influence of the spring.

8. In switch operating mechanism of the type described, the combination with a pivoted switch blade of an oscillatable shaft operatively connected to the blade to oscillate the same about its pivot, a spring to rotate the shaft in one direction, a latch preventing rotation of the shaft in said direction, electromagnetic means to release said latch, a circuit for controlling said electromagnetic means, a member reversely movable to either of two positions, said member during its movement from one to another of said positions operatively engaging said shaft and rotating the same to energize said spring and to position said shaft for operative engagement by said latch, said member during its movement from said position to the other of said positions disengaging from the shaft and in the other of said positions constituting a stop limiting rotation of the shaft under the influence of the spring, and means coacting when the member is in the last--named position for the reception of a securing device to prevent unauthorized operation of said member.

9. In switch operating mechanism of the type described, the combination with a pivoted switch blade of an oscillatable shaft operatively connected to the blade to oscillate the same about its pivot, a spring to rotate the shaft in one direction, a latch preventing rotation of the shaft in said direction, electromagnetic means to release said latch, a circuit for controlling said electromagnetic means, a member reversely movable to either of two positions, said member during its movement from one to another of said positions operatively engaging said shaft and rotating the same to energize said spring and to position said shaft for operative engagement by said latch, said member during its movement from said position to the other of said positions disengaging from the shaft and in the other of said positions constituting a stop limiting rotation of the shaft under the influence of the spring, means coacting when the member is in the last-named position for the reception of a securing device to prevent unauthorized operation of said member, and means preventing coaction of the securing device receiving means when the member is not in said position.

10. In switch operating mechanism of the type described, the combination with a pivoted switch blade of an osoillatable shaft operatively con nected to the blade to oscillate the same about its pivot, an element secured to the shaft and having a notch in its periphery, a spring to rotate the shaft in one direction, a latch normally engaging in said notch and thereby preventing rotation of the shaft in said direction, electromagnetic means to release said latch, a circuit for controlling said electromagnetic means, a member reversely movable to either of two positions, said member during its movement from one to another of said positions operatively engaging said shaft and rotating the same to energize said spring and to position said shaft for operative engagement by said latch, said member during its movement from said position to the other of said positions disengaging from the shaft and in the other of said positions constituting a stop limiting rotation of the shaft under the influence of the spring, and means to open the circuit of said electromagnetic means as the member arrives at the first of said positions and to close said circuit as the member arrives at the second of said positions.

11. In switch operating mechanism of the type described, the combination with a pivoted switch blade of an oscillatable shaft operatively connected to the blade to oscillate the same about its pivot, a pulley secured to said shaft and having a notch in its periphery, a flexible element secured at one end to said pulley and trained about the periphery thereof, a spring to rotate the shaft in one direction and to which the opposite end of the flexible element is secured, a latching element to engage in the notch of the pulley and prevent rotation of the shaft in said direction, a spring-actuated toggle urging said latching element to latching position, electromagnetic means to break said toggle and release said latch, and a circuit for controlling said electromagnetic means.

WILLIAM R. HU'I'IINGER. 

